Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Daily Tracking Poll: Obama Moves Into Lead Followed by Edwards; Huckabee Lead Widens  —  Clinton, Romney dip as Ron Paul gains  —  UTICA, New York - Democrat Barack Obama continued his upward momentum through the evening before the Iowa caucuses, capturing the lead ahead …

Democrats may draw more independents  —  Thousands more Iowa independent voters are expected to turn out for Democratic presidential candidates than Republicans at today's Iowa caucuses.  —  If polls and turnout forecasts are accurate, Iowa independents would be following the lead set by their national peers in 2006.

MCCain and Romney PUsh Poll Complaints  —  Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte is requesting the public's assistance in identifying who employed Moore-Information of Portland, Oregon to conduct a poll in New Hampshire, in November 2007, which has been alleged to be a push-poll.

NBC Highlights ‘Life-Long Republican’ Caucusing for Obama, But...  On Wednesday's NBC Nightly News, Andrea Mitchell showcased “a lifelong Republican, who twice voted for George Bush, now canvassing for Obama” as a “precinct captain” in Iowa.  In an interview two months ago, however …

The Independents  —  John Judis and Ruy Teixeira take a look at the demographic and ideological characteristics of self-described independents and their potential role in the presidential election.  It's clear that the post-partisan rhetoric from Barack Obama that's annoyed a lot of bloggers …

Justice Dept. Sets Criminal Inquiry on C.I.A. Tapes  —  WASHINGTON — Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey said Wednesday that the Justice Department had elevated its inquiry into the destruction of Central Intelligence Agency interrogation videotapes to a formal criminal investigation headed by a career federal prosecutor.

One More on the Politico Hit Job  —  According to people who actually know, I'm told $1,878,138 has been raised since the debate on December 12 from 24,949 people, including $719,534 from 10,237 people.  For the week before, week of and week after Christmas, I think that's pretty good.

Seven Questions: Gen. David Petraeus on Winding down the Surge  —  By the end of July, 25 percent of American combat troops are due to withdraw from Iraq.  FP sat down with Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, to find out how he plans to draw down without leaving chaos behind.

Political Field Is Panned by Bloomberg  —  With unusually dismissive language, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg offered tart assessments of his potential presidential rivals at a news conference on Wednesday, suggesting they are offering meaningless bromides rather than serious answers to the problems confronting the country.

Can Edwards Do It In Iowa?  —  The Mellencamp concert for John Edwards last night was a huge success for the campaign.  It was well attended (easily twice the size of the Huckabee “Huck'n'Chuck” rally the night before), the crowd was enthusiastic and responded to his message.

Iowa predictions  —  Ok, I know I said the caucuses are too close to call.  But I just can't help myself.  So here are my predictions for tonight's battle in the heartland.  —  Republicans

For Marine's sendoff, his car is keyed  —  Marine Sgt. Michael McNulty — now on his way to Iraq for his second tour of duty in the war — took meticulous care of his car.  —  It is a black two-door BMW, an expensive ride for a young Marine from Chicago, but then, McNulty didn't exactly join …

Karl Rove  —  A principal architect of the disastrous presidency of George W. Bush, Karl Rove, 57, has charted a long course from the internship he landed with the Republican Party in Utah almost four decades ago.  Here, the president's former deputy chief of staff reflects on his fear of going broke …

Goblin Literature  —  Ron Paul, the Future President of Azeroth  —  Ron Paul, the Future President of Azeroth  —  I am, by my own admission, the worst journalist in gaming.  Before I begin writing about the World of Warcraft Ron Paul rally, it's important that you understand this.

My Mitt Romney Problem (And Yours?)  —  Watch this ad:  —  “In the next ten years, we'll see more progress, more change, than the world has seen in the last ten centuries."  —  Mitt Romney is an immensely talented and accomplished figure.  In many ways, he looks like an ideal antidote to George W. Bush …